PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Kuklinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samoa Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuklinski kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Immigrant Song. The crowd seem to be enjoying Joe's choice of entrance music: Destroyer. The key to victory for Richard Kuklinski has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kuklinski
vs
Joe

195 cm
25
265 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

193 cm
26
285 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Richard Kuklinski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samoa Joe!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, John Mangel and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuklinski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Joe.
Kuklinski looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Joe fails to land the takedown.
Kuklinski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Joe.
Richard Kuklinski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samoa Joe.
Kuklinski leaves Joe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kuklinski seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Joe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kuklinski as he avoids it easily.

Kuklinski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuklinski is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kuklinski working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nice body punch from Kuklinski.
Joe looks winded!
Joe goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kuklinski prevents it.
Kuklinski could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Joe changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuklinski fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuklinski appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kuklinski dips to his left and cracks Joe with an uppercut!

It looks like Samoa Joe has been cut.
Kuklinski throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kuklinski punishes Joe's body with a nice straight punch.
Kuklinski scores with a decent looking hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kuklinski sends Joe crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Kuklinski is motioning to the referee to let Joe up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Joe is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuklinski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Joe but Joe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kuklinski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kuklinski is looking to clinch but Joe is avoiding it.
Joe scores with the left hand. Kuklinski knows he should have avoided that one.
Kuklinski connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt Joe! He's out on his feet! Kuklinski rushes in and drops Joe with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Richard Kuklinski!
Richard Kuklinski is the new heavyweight champion!
Richard Kuklinski decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.
The defeated Samoa Joe had this to say: 'Someone shot me in the middle of the fight, it is the only thing that makes sense. Braun Strowman is the future of this division and all of you will see this soon.'.